The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Presents New Spring Exhibitions

CHICAGO—The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), a global leader in art and design education, continues its yearly events with an exciting lineup for spring 2026. Celebrating the talented SAIC students completing their undergraduate and graduate degrees, these events showcase their innovative work. SAIC invites you to take part and enjoy these not-to-be-missed year-end exhibitions and presentations. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit saic.edu/shows.

MAATC Exhibition 
January 23–30
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: January 24, 12:00–5:00 p.m.

The annual MAATC Exhibition presents the artwork and practices of students graduating with a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling. The educational aim of this exhibition is to provide an opportunity for students to present their own individual lived practices and collaboratively examine the clinical, ethical, and aesthetic implications of presenting the profession of art therapy through an exhibition. Deeply reflective and inquisitive, the artists present a multitude of approaches, exemplifying the program’s philosophy of integrating the emergent artist-art-therapist identity.

Visual & Critical Studies Graduate Exhibition
January 23–30
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: January 24, 12:00–5:00 p.m.

Graduating Master of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies students present their scholarship and work.

Graduate Exhibition One
February 17–26
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: February 18, 5:00–7:00 p.m.

The culminating presentation of new and ambitious work by MFA candidates in SAIC’s class of 2026. Graduate Exhibition One is the first of two graduate exhibitions this spring.

Post-Baccalaureate Annual Exhibition
February 17–26
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: February 18, 5:00–7:00 p.m.

This presentation features the work of students completing the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio.

ArtBash
March 27–April 11
Sharp Building, 37 S. Wabash Ave., Floors 1, 2, 3
Opening Night Reception: March 27, 4:00–6:30 p.m.

First year students from the Department of Contemporary Practices (CP) exhibit new interdisciplinary art and design works. Students have the opportunity to participate through site specific proposals, an open call for work, and by faculty selection.

Spring Undergraduate Exhibition
April 3–11
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: April 8, 5:00–7:00 p.m.

The culminating work of graduating seniors. This exhibition features the ambitious and innovative interdisciplinary work of our students, the next generation of artists, scholars, and citizens. It is a living example of the crossing of disciplines and challenging assumptions that SAIC encourages in each student.

IMPACT Performance Festival
April 11–12
280 Building, 280 S. Columbus Dr.

IMPACT is an in-person festival that features live performances by MFA and BFA students completing their degrees.

Art History Graduate Symposium
April 29, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
MacLean Center Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave.

Graduating students from the MA in Art History program will present their work.

Capstone Fashion Show
May 1, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Location TBA

The 2026 Senior Capstone Fashion Show is a celebration of our senior Fashion Design students and their work.

Graduate Exhibition Two
May 8–20
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: May 13, 5:00–7:00 p.m.

The culminating presentation of new and ambitious work by MFA, MDes, MArch, MArch-IA, and MSHP candidates in SAIC’s class of 2026. Graduate Exhibition Two is the second of two graduate exhibitions this spring.

FVNMAS Festival
May 13–16
Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.

The Film, Video, New Media, Animation, and Sound Festival will highlight the work of graduating students presenting moving image and sound work.

MFA in Writing Graduate Reading
May 15
MacLean Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave.
Reception: 4:30 p.m.
Program: 5:30–7:00 p.m.

Graduating students from the Master of Fine Arts in Writing program read selections from their work. Join us for a surprising evening including, but not limited to, fiction, nonfiction, and text off the page. Discover what writing becomes when students adapt the practices of their studio-artist peers.

BFA in Writing Thesis Reading
May 16, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
The LeRoy Neiman Center, 37 S. Wabash Ave.

Students graduating from SAIC’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing program read, perform, and otherwise represent their work in traditional as well as hybrid and experimental forms, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, scripts, electronic media, and performance.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago
For 160 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program ranked number two in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries, and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world, and adults, teens, and kids in our Continuing Studies classes have the opportunity to explore their creative sides, build portfolios, and advance their skills. Notable alumni and faculty include Georgia O’Keeffe, Nick Cave, David Sedaris, Cynthia Rowley, Michelle Grabner, Richard Hunt, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Jeff Koons.

Press Contact
Rowan Beaird
312.499.4217
rbeair1@saic.edu